• Brush thoroughly
Tooth brushing should take between two and three minutes.

• Floss your teeth daily
Use a slow and gentle sawing motion.

• Limit acidic drinks like soft drinks, cordials and fruit juices
Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve the minerals in tooth enamel, causing holes (cavities or caries). In severe cases, teeth may be ‘eaten’ right down to the gum.

• Protect your teeth from injury
Wear a mouth guard or full-face helmet when playing sports.

• Try to save a knocked out tooth
If possible, hold the tooth back in place while you seek immediate dental advice. If this is not possible, wrap the tooth in plastic or place it in milk and seek dental advice immediately.

• Avoid using your teeth for anything other than chewing food
If you use them to crack nuts, remove bottle tops or rip open packaging, you risk chipping or even breaking your teeth.

• See your dentist for regular check-ups
You should also visit your dentist if you have a dental problem such as a toothache or bleeding gums.